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Ivo Čović
Episode · #438

ZGRADONAČELNIK Ivo Čović

Guest Ivo ČovićHosted by Vojtek Tin BašićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The energy crisis we are witnessing is not merely a temporary challenge; it's a fundamental turning point for the future of energy, as Ivo Čović puts it. While there's a broad global consensus on the need to reduce emissions, protect biodiversity, and ensure a secure, affordable energy supply, the path to achieving these goals is complex and fraught with practical difficulties. Čović, director of Končar Obnovljivi izvori, brings decades of experience from a company synonymous with large-scale power infrastructure. His perspective illuminates the difficult choices and engineering prowess required to navigate the global energy transition. Readers will come away with a clearer understanding of the nuanced balance between ambitious environmental goals and the hard realities of building a new energy future.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Ivo Čović describes the current energy crisis as "a turning point for the future of energy." It signals a fundamental reorientation of the sector, demanding more than just short-term fixes.
02
Despite geopolitical tensions, Čović notes a surprising global consensus on three core energy goals: emission reduction, biodiversity protection, and secure, affordable supply. The challenge isn't agreeing on the destination, but balancing these often competing objectives in practical implementation.
03
Končar's generators are installed on every continent except Antarctica, with products reaching over a hundred countries annually for decades. A deep, decades-long engineering heritage in foundational power systems is often the quiet enabler of modern energy transitions.
04
Končar developed its own wind turbine a decade ago, but couldn't sustain production against global players who benefited from immense scale and state-backed financing. Even strong engineering talent isn't enough to compete in hardware manufacturing if you lack vast domestic market demand or state-level financial support for export.
05
Končar also had solar panel production decades ago, but the global market consolidated to where only players with immense R&D and manufacturing scale could compete. For commodity hardware, the only viable strategy is to either achieve global scale or focus on specialized, high-value niches in the value chain.
06
For renewable energy projects, components make up only 30-40% of the cost; the real value lies in project development, engineering, and construction, exemplified by Končar's remote management of the Vis solar plant from Zagreb. The future of energy independence isn't just about manufacturing individual pieces of hardware, but mastering the complex integration and intelligent control of diverse systems.
07
Končar is currently building two of Croatia's largest solar power plants for major investors like INA and HEP. The immediate path to energy transition is often paved by large-scale projects with established players, creating a foundation for wider adoption and technological refinement.